Originally Posted By beamerdog In CA, can you put something in your lease about the dogs not getting along? (not joking here) If they seem to get along from the start (or with a little work) and then have a bad turn in their relationship it might be easier to have the guy find another place. You can write in the amount of time you'll give him to vacate. Don't know the landlord tenant laws in CA, but my son rents here in DE and unless you have it in the lease from the start, it is very hard to evict in our state. Wow, two applicants is not a bad thing.
Originally Posted By X-san ***Unfortunately the woman made me cautious from the first phone conversation. So it's hard to be objective, tho for financial stability the guy definitely has the edge.*** ***My ex is so against the guy! (He hasn't met either - maybe he's a bit jealous. But he insists the dog will ruin the yard, etc.)*** Sounds like a quandry, Lulu. Is there any chance there is an option "C"? It sounds to me as though you have reservations about both (and rightly so). Hopefully you can adjust the situation to fit what works for you. And I agree with Inspector, don't let emotion rule your decisions, just look at it in terms of business. I think frankly that you should look into other possible tenants, to be blunt. Just the fact that you HAVE reservations about both of them (for very legitimate reasons) makes me worry about you choosing one over the other. Is there a rush here to fill the vacancy? If not, I don't think there's anything wrong with you telling both of them that it's just not a good fit (tactfully, of course), and looking into other possibilities. Just my 2 cents, of course, and I'm just basing it on the vibe I'm getting from your posts here...of course I might be missing something (I often do lol). Good Luck!! Hope it works out great for you!!!!
Originally Posted By LuLu Thanks. I *have* been wondering if it doesn't work out with the dogs today, if I'll take the woman. I decided I'd first explain to her my boundaries - that I'm quiet and don't want a friendly relationship, etc (I'll have to overstate my case here to get her to listen at all) then I'll want to see her support agreement *and* probably talk to her ex. He sounds like a reasonable guy who's understand my concerns, but I'd have to see. I really don't have reservations on Candidate 1. He's not pushing things if the dogs don't get along on the first try. He's willing to put up more security for the dog. He's been very reasonable when I've raised concerns - I have a couple more things to clarify, so we'll see where that goes. My local dalmatian lady that I mentioned in the other thread said "this could be the best thing in the world" for CoCo if it works out. That was my first feeling too. I think it's a huge "IF" for them to get along on the first shot, but that's what we'll find out later today... And no, I'm not in a rush but I feel like I need to get this issue resolved and done with. I could keep looking if it doesn't work out today. I don't know if I have a legitimate reason to refuse #2 if the money checks out. Maybe I'll repost my craigslist ad now just in case...
Originally Posted By LuLu Oh, there is an option 3, I've ruled her out already. Even tho single (a plus), she doesn't want to sign a year's lease and her job is very new, with a new company. I need a stronger applicant than that. There was also an employed single mom who couldn't come up with the security + 1st month's rent. It's tough out there!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 Keeping my fingers crossed that the dogs first playdate goes well I think your ex might be a bit jealous
Originally Posted By tiggerdis_ Hey Lulu, another question about the woman, is why does she want to move from her nice 2 bedroom? I would think that with something like an ebay business, a second bedroom would be a plus - that and an extra child every once in a while...and why is the ex still paying child support if he has the children? I'm having some concerns about her, and I'm not even in the same country as you... And why does he want to move? That may be another interesting question...
Originally Posted By LuLu Yes, that one is too, I'll type it up later. Hers is that her rent is going from $1800 to $2100 (plus utilities) and she needs to lower her costs to pay off debts. I know, this doesn't sound great, but this is the reality that I'm finding. Where previously I had young single people starting out on their own, now I have mostly older divorced people needing to economize. It's the current economy, and the expensive housing in this area.
Originally Posted By Big Thunder just dropping in, reading the posts, if it were *me* my first gut hunch is "go with the guy" I have a feeling Lulu that is your gut hunch too, so go with it. The guy seems independent, responsible, and private. Plus, he seems more financially secure, a big plus in my mind if I were a landlord. The gal seems needy, less financially secure, and you have already stated in a few ways that she probably make you uncomfortable. So, the question is, other than the uncomfortable awkwardness of having to turn one person down, what else besides the dog compatibility [which will probably be fine] might be preventing you from picking the guy tenet? Is it your ex's concern that his dog might ruin the yard? Does ex's opinion have a lot to do with your decision? Are you uncomfortable about a male living so close? All of these could be valid concerns, or they may not even exist, but your owe it to yourself to answer yourself [not LP] those kind of questions.
Originally Posted By oredisneyfan I'm very new on these boards but your topic got my attention. I would go with the guy. I have been in property management for the past 14 years and one thing I have learned is your first impression is always right. especially if someone makes you uncomfortable. Also dont make any accomodations that you arn't willing to live with for the long term. I have found that if you go out of your way for some people they will forever be expecting that kind of treatment. I manage co-op type living and I'm sure that the laws are differnt in Oregon but I have found that when ever there is a pet involved get something in writing as to what standard of pet care you expect. Here we call it a pet adendem. To ensure that pet areas are kept clean and animals are properly cared for. girl/guy housemate situations seem to work out better.
Originally Posted By JazzCat I was really curious how everyone would answer. I thought it would be more 50/50. My gut was go with the guy too.
Originally Posted By LuLu Thanks everyone! Yeah, my response to the guy is a "gut reaction" and parts of it don't make logical sense to me. But I did decide the lady was definitely out. Then the first strong applicant threw her hat back in the ring this morning! She would be great as she's financially secure and solely saving money to go back and get a Masters debt-free. She has a daughter about 75% of the time, but works a lot and when DD is with dad, she says she's with friends in Santa Monica. So everything with her is cool except - I'm still a bit nervous about a 7 y.o. with my hyper dog. Then I got 2 additional calls on my newspaper ad today! But we introduced the dogs as planned this afternoon, and it went a lot better than I expected! I didn't trust to let CoCo off-leash, but within 15 minutes she was actually relaxing on the floor - jumped up if Cat approached tho (yeah his dog is named Cat, which tells ya something I think ;-). So it looks good and he's planning to move in on the 15th! I will definitely look into a pet addendum. Thanks again everyone!
Originally Posted By smedley Lulu, I am glad the dog meeting went so well! With any luck it will work out great, and solve the issue with Coco and other dogs into the bargain
Originally Posted By LuLu Yep, I'm hoping this will help me with CoCo as much as a trainer perhaps! Phil is very good with dogs - definitely part of the reason the meeting went so well is that he has Cat well trained! I also learned that I should ask for more $$ next time I rent! While I'm trying to compensate for not having a kitchen, that isn't important to everyone. What I'm hearing is my place is so much nicer / cleaner / safer area, and that's what's important to the prospective tenants.
Originally Posted By LuLu 2 things that are probably essential for working with kids - tons of patience and a sense of humor!
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 I'm glad to hear that the meeting went well, good girl CoCo Sounds like the guy might be a big help with CoCo. You may have really lucked into something here Our dog actually seems to prefer to have a "dragging leash" on when there are people at our house that she's not familiar with. As soon as I snap it on she relaxes, like she doesn't need to be in charge. I just need to remember to do it >
